2024 Limerick mayoral election

An election to decide the first directly elected Mayor of Limerick was held on 7 June 2024, as part of the 2024 Irish local elections. Limerick is the first local authority in Ireland to have directly elected mayor, following a plebiscite held at the previous council election. The election was held under the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024. Candidates were nominated by a registered political party or with the support of 60 electors.

There were fifteen declared candidates in the contest for mayor, ten from political parties, and five independent candidates.

On 11 June 2024, John Moran was elected as mayor.

Background
In May 2019 a plebiscite was held with the 2019 Limerick City and County Council election in which voters approved a proposal in a plebiscite on the establishment of a directly elected mayor for Limerick City and County by a vote of 52.4%. Under the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024, the first election to the new office would take place as part of the 2024 Limerick City and County Council election.

In August 2023, the Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) Bill 2023 was published. Kieran O'Donnell, Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, stated that the government intended that the election for a directly elected Mayor for Limerick would be held in 2024, at the local elections which were scheduled to be held in June 2024.

The Local Government (Mayor of Limerick) and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2024 was enacted on 6 March 2024. Under its provisions, the powers currently vested in the chief executive would be transferred to the Mayor of Limerick. On 5 April, Darragh O'Brien, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, confirmed the date of 7 June 2024 by ministerial order.

Results
The period for nominations started at 10 a.m. on Saturday 11 May and ended at 12 p.m. on Saturday 18 May 2024. Candidates may be nominated by a registered political party, with the support of 60 assentors, or with a deposit of €1,000. There were fifteen declared candidates for the election.